--- title: "MO diagrams: N₂ and O₂ Template | MolDraw" url: https://www.moldraw.com/templates/genchem-mo-n2-o2/ description: "MO diagrams: N₂ and O₂ template: Valence MO diagrams of N₂ (s–p mixing, σ2p above π2p, bond order 3, diamagnetic) and O₂ (two unpaired electrons in π*2p…" lang: en publisher: Scidart Academy generated: 2026-10-28 --- [MolDraw](https://www.moldraw.com/) › [Templates](https://www.moldraw.com/templates/) › [General & inorganic](https://www.moldraw.com/templates/general-and-inorganic/) › MO diagrams: N₂ and O₂ [General & inorganic](https://www.moldraw.com/templates/general-and-inorganic/)Free # MO diagrams: N₂ and O₂ template ![MO diagrams: N₂ and O₂ template: Valence MO diagrams of N₂ (s–p mixing, σ2p above π2p, bond order 3, diamagnetic) and O₂ (two unpaired electrons in π*2p, bond order 2, paramagnetic).](https://www.moldraw.com/templates/download/genchem-mo-n2-o2.svg) [Edit in MolDraw](https://www.moldraw.com/)[Download SVG](https://www.moldraw.com/templates/download/genchem-mo-n2-o2.svg) Free template. Download it, or open it in MolDraw to change it first. Valence MO diagrams of N₂ (s–p mixing, σ2p above π2p, bond order 3, diamagnetic) and O₂ (two unpaired electrons in π*2p, bond order 2, paramagnetic). ## What the template shows - Second-row diatomics: the order of σ2p and π2p changes between N₂ and O₂ - Dinitrogen (s–p mixing) - For Li₂ to N₂, 2s–2p mixing pushes σ2p above π2p. Valence orbitals only (1s core not shown) - Bond order = ½ (8 − 2) = 3 - diamagnetic (all electrons paired) - For O₂ and F₂ the order is σ2p below π2p. The last two electrons go one each into the two π*2p orbitals - Bond order = ½ (8 − 4) = 2 - paramagnetic (2 unpaired e⁻) - N₂: 10 valence electrons, bond order 3, all paired: diamagnetic. The N≡N bond (945 kJ mol⁻¹) is one of the strongest known. - O₂: 12 valence electrons; Hund's rule puts the last two in separate π*2p orbitals with parallel spins, so O₂ is paramagnetic (a Lewis structure cannot show this). - s–p mixing (strong when 2s and 2p are close in energy, Li to N) raises σ2p above π2p; for O₂ and F₂ the gap is large and σ2p lies lower. - Removing an antibonding electron strengthens the bond: O₂⁺ has bond order 2.5; adding one weakens it: O₂⁻ (superoxide) 1.5. - Every part of this figure is editable · sources on the template card Drawn with 437 shapes – every one editable in MolDraw. ## Sources - [Miessler, Fischer & Tarr, Inorganic Chemistry, 5th ed., Pearson 2014, ch. 5](https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780321811059) Textbook - [Housecroft & Sharpe, Inorganic Chemistry, 5th ed., Pearson 2018, ch. 2](https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781292134147) Textbook - [Atkins, de Paula & Keeler, Atkins' Physical Chemistry, 11th ed., OUP 2018, ch. 9](https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780198769866) Textbook ## How to use this template 1. Press **Edit in MolDraw**. The template opens on the canvas of the free MolDraw editor. 2. Change anything: move structures, edit atoms and labels, recolour highlights or delete what you do not need. 3. Add your own structures, arrows and text next to it, or combine several templates on one page. 4. Export the drawing as PNG, SVG or PDF for slides, worksheets, theses and papers. ## Frequently asked questions ### Is the MO diagrams: N₂ and O₂ template free? Yes. The MO diagrams: N₂ and O₂ template is one of the free MolDraw templates: open it in the editor or download it from this page as SVG or PNG and use it in your slides, worksheets and notes. ### Can I edit the MO diagrams: N₂ and O₂ template? Yes. It opens as an ordinary MolDraw drawing, so every structure, arrow, label and colour can be changed, and you can add your own content around it. ### Is the chemistry checked? Every structure is checked with RDKit and every curly arrow passes MolDraw’s electron-flow audit. The sources used are listed on this page. ### Which MO diagrams are included? 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